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The Dent County Commissioners met for their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Thursday morning. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that brush would be cut on Dent County Road 4150, and patch grading would be done on Dent County Roads 4180 and 5080. Purcell said the rest of the District 1 crew would be repairing signs and hauling creek rock. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson reported that all of the District 2 crew would be finishing up the chip and seal projects. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone that the last day to register to vote for the August 3^rd Primary Election is July 7^th. At the previous meeting, bids were opened up on the trucks that the road and bridge department are selling.  Rusty Chamberlain submitted one bid on the 1992 GMC truck for $200.00 and the Commission agreed to accept that bid. The Commission will not meet Monday in observance of Independence Day, but will meet again next Thursday at 9:00 at the Dent County Courthouse and that meeting is open to the public. 

An accident occurred Thursday at 10:25 in the morning in Dent County on Highway 32 east of Route P near Salem. According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer driven by 39-year-old Denise Conaway of Salem was traveling east on Route P. The accident occurred as the driver lost control at a high rate of speed, skidded off the road, and overturned. Conaway suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Salem Memorial District Hospital. Conaway was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident. The Blazer sustained extensive damage and was removed from the scene by the owner.

The Salem Heritage Festival, part of the Salem Sesquicentennial Celebration, begins with a full day this Saturday. From 7:30 until noon, there will be a breakfast fundraiser at the Salem Farmer’s Market at 200 South Main Street. Starting at 8:00 next door at the Dent County Fire Protection District Fire station, there will be a 5k run/walk. At 9:00 downtown at the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room will be the start of the Expert Division play of the Checkers Tournament. At 10:00, the Checkers Tournament Youth and Recreational Divisions will compete. For more information about all the divisions of the Checkers Tournament, call David Dittman at 729-3137. Also starting at 10:00 will be all the activities around the courthouse square including kid’s games, the Radical Rompers, turtle races, frog jumping contest and other carnival games; a Civil War demonstration; and the booths will also open that feature food, arts and crafts, pottery, face-painting, Sesquicentennial souvenirs and more. Live musical entertainment from the gazebo on the lawn of the Dent County Courthouse is also planned at this time and people can bring their lawn chairs to enjoy the sounds. All these activities will last until at least 4:00 in the afternoon. The Vintage Car Show will begin at 1:00 at the courthouse square with stock cars and trucks from before 1960. For more information on the car show, contact Jim Heavin at 729-8100. At 6:00, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Parade will be held starting at Franklin Street and McArthur, moving north on McArthur to Fourth Street, before heading east and finishing up around the courthouse square. The grand finale of the night will be the fireworks display at the Salem City Park starting at dark. The concession stand will be open at the park serving sodas, popsicles, and glow necklaces; and other vendors will also be there as well with food items. People are welcome to bring their lawn chairs to enjoy one of the finest fireworks display in the area. Throughout the day, people can learn about the history of the buildings downtown by taking the unguided walking tour. There will be 22 signs with photos on the utility poles with a description of the business that use to occupy the space where buildings are standing today. There are also some photo collages in some window fronts of days gone by. Make a day of it this Saturday downtown and at the Salem City Park to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the City of Salem!

Independence Day is fun for everyone to celebrate, but if you take it too far and drive impaired, you'll be risking your own independence, reminds the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. Besides the real possibility of ending up in jail, impaired drivers risk injuring or killing themselves and anyone else on the road. Last year's traffic-related statistics during the Independence holiday underscore the importance of driving safely. In 2009 in Missouri during the July 4^th holiday period there were a total of 11 traffic-related fatalities, 82 serious injuries and 402 minor injuries. Impaired driving was involved in three fatalities, 15 disabling injuries and 36 minor injuries. Over the Fourth of July, Missouri will try to avoid many of these fatalities and injuries with a statewide sobriety checkpoint (July 2-5). And during the rest of the summer, Missouri law enforcement is doing its best to crack down on repeat alcohol offenders, speeders, texters and those driving without their seat belts during "The HEAT is On" Campaign, which began June 21^st and runs through September 21^st. The campaign includes educational public service announcements, as well as increased highway patrolling from High Enforcement Action Teams. Much of the tragedy from drunk driving can be prevented with a few simple precautions before going out to celebrate: plan a safe way home before the festivities begin; before drinking, please designate a sober driver and give that person your keys; if you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely; if you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement; and if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

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